I built a free image and video hosting tool after Imgur blocked the UK

On September 30th, 2025, the popular image hosting platform Imgur suddenly blocked the entire United Kingdom without any prior notice or way for users to migrate their content. This abrupt change left millions of embedded images across various online platforms, including forums, Discord servers, tutorials, Reddit threads, and personal blogs, displaying blank grey boxes. Driven by the need to offer a reliable alternative, I developed DBimg, a free media hosting and sharing service.

DBimg provides a straightforward solution for users seeking a hassle-free image hosting experience. Users can upload files directly without creating an account, ensuring no compression and preserving the original quality of files. All uploaded content benefits from permanent hosting, with no expiration dates or account inactivity deletions.

Automatic removal of EXIF data, such as GPS coordinates and camera metadata, ensures user privacy by default. Instantly generated embed codes in HTML, BBCode, and Markdown formats simplify sharing the uploaded content across different platforms. The service is complemented by a REST API for developers who require programmatic access to the hosting service.

DBimg supports a wide range of file formats, including JPEG, PNG, GIF, WebP, AVIF, HEIC, BMP, TIFF, MP4, WebM, MOV, AVI, MP3, FLAC, and WAV, catering to most real-world use cases. The platform is hosted on a global CDN, ensuring fast delivery regardless of where the shared link is accessed. This approach reflects a commitment to providing a user-friendly experience that prioritizes simplicity and privacy, a stark contrast to Imgur's recent changes that have alienated many users.